When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

It's an unexpectedly somber start to the long-awaited finale of The Voice, with hosts, contestants and coaches all gathered for a heart-wrenching rendition of "Hallelujah." Each of them carries a card with the name and age of one of the victims of last Friday's horrific Newtown massacre. It's a sight so sobering that Carson Daly manages an actual facial expression.

Then, after the tribute, and a quick recap, it's back to the regular business of The Voice -- deciding who of the Top 3 -- Cassadee Pope, Terry McDermott or Nicholas David -- will win this year. (Trevin Hunte was voted off last Tuesday). Tonight is the last opportunity the contestants have to prove themselves. Each will perform three times -- a duet with their coach, a reprise of one of their best performances of the season and, finally, a brand new cover. Better make this good, kids...

Team Cee-Lo's Nicholas David is up first, wearing a gold jacket, surrounded by go-go dancers and seated behind a piano that is literally on fire -- because he's singing a mash up of Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" and Jimi Hendrix's "Fire." (Way to get literal, stage-designer.) When David emerges from behind the piano, we instantly wish he hadn't -- we know he's supposed to be the "eccentric" one, but this is like watching a drunk uncle kick over tables at a wedding party. Adam Levine calls the performance "entertaining and fun" -- we think that's extremely kind.

Next up, Team Blake's Cassadee Pope reprises her incredibly emotional performance of "Over You" from a few weeks ago. We are not sad about this -- Pope's rendition makes Miranda Lambert's original seem flat by comparison, which is quite an achievement, given that Lambert and Blake Shelton wrote the song together about Blake's deceased brother. The coach is clearly moved.

Shelton's second singer, Terry McDermott, has a reunion with his father (who he hasn't seen for four years) at his coach's house, before Shelton and Terry cover Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" together, in front of two giant prop amps. Halfway through, a shirtless Adam Levine pops up in a long wig and does a guitar solo. So, yes. There is much to cringe about here. Which is probably why Cee-Lo gives it a standing ovation.

Nicholas David re-does his cover of "Lean On Me." To be honest, we're kind of bored of this guy at this stage in the competition. "You look like a Principal," notes Adam Levine after the song. "See me in my office after the show," David quips back immediately. (At least he's witty!) Cee-Lo, meanwhile, is feeling terribly emotional about the whole thing and has some heartfelt words for his last remaining team member: "I appreciate you so much... Very simply, I believe in you... You move me... I love you. I love you, man."

Terry McDermott comes back with Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" and has a couple of shaky vocal issues for the first time ever in the show. Not ideal, timing wise, but he fully recovers by the end, which Adam Levine quite rightly gives him props for.

Blake invites Cassadee, her mom, sister and boyfriend over to his place for a chit-chat, before the two perform Sheryl Crow's "Steve McQueen." Pope wears blue jeans and a plaid shirt -- just to drive home the point that she's country now -- and she and Shelton are super-cute together. Then Terry McDermott re-performs his stripped-down (and lovely) version of Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" -- his voice is stupid good.

Cee-Lo invites Nicholas David's family (parents included) over for hangouts and more emo bonding, before the two perform "Play That Funky Music" together. There are acrobats involved. And dancing ladies in glass tubes. And (we're not joking) a Cee-Lo Mini-Me, who dances like a demon. It's like a bad acid trip. The other coaches watch on in disbelief, visibly confused and amused.

The always-passionate Cassadee Pope finishes out the show (because it's always good to save the best 'til last) with Faith Hill's "Cry A Little." Which -- as with everything this woman covers -- she improves exponentially. Then she does this crazy high, long note at the end that is, frankly, mind-blowing. If Cassadee Pope doesn't win this thing, we're going to be very, very angry with America indeed. She could have an enormous career, given the right opportunity -- and tonight, we'll find out once and for all if that can happen.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"